Most of the time, hearing deterioration occurs gradually. This means it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly when you’ve started not hearing as well as usual.

Luckily, hearing tests at Boots make it easy to get checked out and keep track of your hearing health. Boots Hearingcare looks at just how straightforward it is to have a hearing test, as well as providing crucial information like recommended frequency of checks and how to help loved ones manage their hearing-related symptoms…

Should I have a hearing test?

Because hearing loss is so gradual, it’s not always easy to notice if you’re not hearing as well as you used to. Here are some signs you can look out for:

The TV is too loud for other members of your family

You find it difficult to keep up with conversations when there’s background noise

Chatting on the phone is tricky even when the room is quiet

You feel like people are mumbling a lot, and you have to ask them to repeat what they’ve said.

Often it’s your loved ones who notice a hearing loss before you do – so they might hint that you’re finding it difficult to hear too.

Hearing loss affects one in six people in the UK. If you’re over 50, we recommend that you have a hearing test every two years to keep an eye on your hearing.

At Boots Hearingcare, they’re completely free and take 60 minutes – click here or call us on 0345 270 1600 to book your appointment.

Hearing checks

This is a free 60 minute appointment. It's ideal if you've noticed a change in your hearing or you have mild concerns about your hearing. The appointment includes a general check of the health of your ears and a hearing screen, where we’ll ask you to respond to a series of sounds played through headphones. The results of your hearing health check will indicate if there are any issues with your hearing that should be explored further in a full hearing test.

What happens during a hearing test?

A free 60-minute hearing check at Boots Hearingcare is a quick and easy way to find out how well you’re hearing. In your appointment, a Boots Hearingcare expert will…

Check the health of your ears

Carry out some simple tests to see how well you’re hearing

Give you advice about how you can hear better.

You’re absolutely welcome to bring a friend, partner or family member with you to your hearing test – in fact, it can be really helpful to have someone there to help you remember any advice we give you about your hearing, or to tell us about any situations that they’ve noticed where you aren’t hearing as well as you used to.

How often should I have a hearing test?

It’s important to keep an eye on your hearing, as well as on the health of your ears, to make sure that everything is working as it should. If you’re over 50, we’d recommend you get your hearing checked at least every two years, so that we can make sure your hearing hasn’t changed too much since your last appointment.

Where should I go for a hearing test?

We have selected locations across the UK, Click here to find your nearest Boots Hearingcare.

How much does a hearing test cost?

At Boots Hearingcare, all our hearing tests and appointments are completely free. Why not encourage a friend to come for a hearing test too?

How old do you have to be for a hearing test?

We only offer hearing tests for adults aged 18 and over.

Helping a loved one with hearing loss

Because hearing loss is so gradual, a person with a hearing loss might not even notice it. But it can be frustrating if a loved one seems to be struggling to hear – maybe they have the TV on very loudly, they ask you to repeat yourself a lot, or they have trouble talking to you on the phone. They might even become a little withdrawn and spend less time in social situations because they’re struggling to hear. If you think someone you know has a hearing loss, here are some things you can do for them:

Chat in quiet places where there’s less background noise

Make sure they can see your face when you talk – lots of people use basic lip-reading without realising

Encourage them to book a free hearing check and go with them to their appointment. You could even have your hearing tested too!

If they need a hearing aid, make sure you’re patient as they get used to hearing better again

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